Long-term exposure to silica can be an assault on one's lungs. Silica is the basic component of rocks, sand, and soil. People who are constantly exposed to silica dust such as construction workers, miners, quarry workers, etc. are at risk of this exposure. The dust gets accumulated inside the lung and causes long-standing inflammation.
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How much exposure of sanded grout is considered serious?
Query: Hello doctor, The query is about sanded grout exposure. I am quite concerned about my girlfriend’s exposure to silica dust. We were doing a home renovation. I left for about 1.5 hours while she was removing tile in a kitchen. When I had come back I saw she was removing grout with a grinder and no ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Looking at the history, it is quite a high-level exposure and it can cause some kind of pneumonitis feature called hypersensitivity pneumonitis or toxic dust syndrome. If she develops symptoms of a cough, breathlessness, better to get a computed tomography (CT) thorax to... Read Full »
While sanding grout, I got exposed to silica dust. Do I have to worry about silicosis?
Query: Hello doctor, I have a question about silica dust exposure. I have been working on a fireplace, and the surrounding had a lot of dried grout. I was sanding the grout with a metal brush. I used an N95 dust mask for protection. However, I have not realized that the grout contained silica which is very... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. Only with long exposure, maybe about ten years, does the risk of silicosis increase. Even with a mask, there is exposure. Advise family members to maintain a distance of 500 meters. Since it is your occupation, periodica... Read Full »
Can I have any health hazards due to short-term silica exposure?
Query: Hello doctor, I have a question about crystalline silica dust exposure. I am a firefighter, and I decided to make some repairs to my helmet with high heat furnace cement. Over the past week, I have been sanding the repairs. I was unaware of the inhalation danger of silica dust. I have been wearing a... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. We are here to help you. Yes, you had silica exposure, but it will not be considered as a high-risk exposure. The frequency of exposure was not much so probably it will not cause silica inhalational lung injury. However, in case you develop any cough, wheezing or chest p... Read Full »
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